Each student in the Program in Educational Theatre is assigned an academic advisor and a faculty advisor. The academic advisor and faculty advisor play a crucial role in guiding students, but they have distinct responsibilities and areas of expertise. The primary difference lies in their focus: academic advisors generally handle the administrative and big-picture aspects of a student’s degree, while faculty advisors provide specialized, in-depth guidance within a student’s chosen field of study.
Here is a breakdown of the differences between an academic advisor and a faculty advisor:
Role: An academic advisor is a professional staff member who is an expert on the university’s academic policies, procedures, and requirements. They work as part of the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions (MPAP)’s professional advising staff, and their offices are located in the Education Building on the 11th floor (35 West 4th Street).
Focus:
Degree Requirements: They help students understand and track their progress toward completing all general education, major, minor, and graduation requirements.
Course Planning: They assist with class registration, schedule planning, and ensure students take the right courses in the correct sequence to graduate on time.
Administrative Matters: They handle administrative tasks like processing forms for dropping or adding courses, changing majors, and managing academic standing (e.g., academic concern/alert).
University Resources: They are a general resource for students, connecting them with various campus services such as tutoring, counseling, career services, and financial aid.
Broad Guidance: They provide a broader, more holistic perspective on a student’s educational journey, helping them navigate the university system and make informed decisions about their academic path.
Educational Theatre Academic Advisor for Undergraduate and Master’s Students
Ashlyn O’Boyle
Role: A faculty advisor is a professor or instructor from the student’s specific academic program within the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions. Faculty advisors in Educational Theatre are full-time faculty members who teach courses in the program, and their offices are located in Pless Annex, Room 223 (82 Washington Square East, entrance on Washington Place).
Focus:
Disciplinary Expertise: Their primary role is to provide specialized guidance within the field of Educational Theatre. They have a deep understanding of the discipline and its curriculum.
Course Selection (In-Depth): They can recommend specific courses, electives, and course sequences that will best prepare a student for a particular career or graduate program.
Career and Professional Guidance: They can discuss career opportunities within the field, share professional contacts, and offer advice on internships, research, art making, and other opportunities to build a resume.
Research and Graduate School: For both undergraduate and master's students, faculty advisors are essential for anyone considering graduate school. They can help with the application process, provide letters of recommendation, and guide students on potential research topics and thesis projects.
Mentorship: They often serve as mentors, helping students develop their intellectual, artistic, and vocational interests and fostering a deeper understanding of the field.
MA in Theatre for Social and Civic Engagement
MA in Educational Theatre with Initial Certification, All Grades
MA in Educational Theatre with Initial Certification in Theatre, All Grades, and Social Studies, 7-12
MA in Educational Theatre with Initial Certification in Theatre, All Grades, and English, 7-12
It is your responsibility to properly register for the classes required to complete your degree, and your academic and faculty advisors will be available to help you plan your schedule and choose courses that will allow you to successfully complete your degree as outlined in your specific program of study.
Class registration can be an arduous process for students, advising staff, and faculty alike. You must be diligent, and you should register as early as possible. Class sizes are often limited, and if a class size must be reduced, students are dropped from the class based on their date and time of registration. Your academic advisor is your primary point of contact for all steps in the course selection and registration process, and faculty advisors are available to consult in course selection when needed. In order to register for each semester’s classes you must meet with your academic advisor in order to be “cleared” in Albert to register for your classes.
Pursuing a degree in Educational Theatre is a meaningful and transformative journey. While it may present challenges at times, it is also filled with opportunities for growth, creativity, and connection. Your academic advisor is here to support and guide you throughout the program, and you are always encouraged to reach out to any member of the Educational Theatre faculty. We are committed to your success and well-being, and if we don’t have the answers, we will help connect you with someone who does.